In The Field Where I Found You

~Chapter 16~

It had been around a few years since the night they confessed. Now, It was the day of Kenma's college graduation. Kenma hadn't been specifically excited for it, especially because for a few unbearable moments, everyone's attention would be on him. His anxiety spiked a bit just thinking about it. Kuroo had helped Kenma come out of his shell a bit the past few years but not enough to feel comfortable with hundreds of random people watching him. Kenma knew today wouldn't be as special as he hoped.
Kuroo wasn't going to be there, after all. He had been called into work and couldn't get someone to cover his shift for him. So Kuroo promised that the day after they would spend all day celebrating. Kenma said it was fine and that he should go to work but what he really wanted was for Kuroo to watch him walk across that stage. Kenma wanted to walk out and look into the ground and immediately recognize Kuroo's dumb hair. He wanted to see Kuroo beaming with pride and happiness for his boyfriend. But he'd have to watch the video recording of it.
Soon, the staff and student speeches were over and the head principal finally started calling off names. It had been 45 minutes and they had finally reached the names starting with K. Just a few more minutes and Kenma would be the center of attention. Hopefully, he didn't do anything stupid. Kenma was around 26 now and he didn't want to trip and following on stage to be his worst and last college memory. The names finally started drawing closer to his and he was trying to stay calm. He took deep breaths and started counting to 10 multiple times, trying to soothe his nerves.
"Kenma Kozume!" The principal announced motioning toward the side of the stage. Kenma walked out onto the stage and looked out at the crowd of people, trying to find his parents. But his eyes watered as he laid his eyes on the person he loved. There Kuroo sat, his hands cupped around his mouth to amplify his cheers of love and pride toward Kenma. Kenma showed him a look of thanks and love and focused back onto the principal, trying not to cry. He got his diploma and bowed to the principal with great thanks. He walked toward the other side of the stage and ran behind the stage to meet Kuroo in the audience.
When he turned the corner, Kuroo was already running at him, a nutty smile spread across his cheeks. Kenma sped up and jumped high into Kuroo's arms. Kuroo stepped back, balancing them as their bodies collided. Kenma wrapped his legs around Kuroo's waist and Kuroo held Kenma's legs. Kenma laughed as Kuroo spun them around, planting soft kisses all over his neck. Kuroo finally stopped and Kenma grabbed his face and kissed him with more passion than ever before. He let his diploma fall to the ground as he melted into the moment. The two boys became breathless and pulled apart.
Kuroo looked up at Kenma and eyes filled with joy and satisfaction and in a breathy whisper, he finally managed a "Surprise!"
Kenma looked at his boyfriend, his face showing everything he thought.
I'm so lucky to have you, Kuroo. I love you so much.
"What did I ever do to deserve you?" Kenma asked, kissing Kuroo's forehead.
"Well, you broke up with that idiot ginger for one," Kenma threw his head back in laughter. Kenma was so happy he didn't know how to express it all. Kenma bent down and kissed Kuroo one more time, it was sweet and comfortable. Kuroo's lips were as soft as ever and Kenma never wanted anything to erase them. Kenma moved his legs signaling that he wanted to be put down but Kuroo only tightened his grip, moving his hands to support under Kenma's waist.
"Nu-uh, I'm gonna carry you all the way to the car. People need to know you're taken," Kuroo said with a cheeky grin, beginning the journey to his car. Kenma accepted the fact that he wouldn't be needing to use his legs and buried his head into Kuroo's neck. They reached the car and Kuroo finally let him down. Once they were buckled in safely, Kuroo started driving.
"You never told me where we were going. Wait do my parents know I'm with you?" Kenma looked over at Kuroo.
"It's a surprise and yes they know," Kuroo looked at Kenma for a brief second but soon focused back on the road. After a few minutes, they parked in a familiar parking lot. Kenma got out, confused.
"What are we doing here, 'Roo?" Kenma asked as he was led to the secret bush. They had cleared it out a little more a while ago so that both men could fit through it easily. They wriggled their way through the bush and found themselves in the extremely familiar field. Their field. Kuroo kept his grip on Kenma's hand as he led them to a grassy spot. But the grassy spot wasn't as plain as it was every other time they'd been there. Kenma gasped as he was confronted with a carpet of rose petals laid out before him. At the end of the petals, he found a blanket sprawled neatly across the floor.
The blanket sat underneath a bucket of ice, which contained Kenma's favorite store-bought champagne Chandon California Brut Classic. Surrounding the champagne were candles of all different colors and sizes. But they all smelled of Lavender; a scent they both enjoyed. The candles provided light for the silver trays, each exhibiting a different kind of their favorite foods. There was Kuroo's favorite, Grilled Salted Mackerel Pike and of course a big apple pie. There were other dishes but those seemed to be the highlight. Kenma covered his mouth, trying to contain his tears. Kuroo took his hand and led him in front of the set up so that they are in between the food and the sunset. Kuroo stood in front of Kenma and took both of his smaller hands in his. Kuroo looked into Kenma's eyes and Kenma stared back.
"Kozume you are the love of my life. You are my everything. I don't even know where to start. Since that first day I was introduced to you, I knew in my heart that I wanted to stay by your side forever. I knew that we were going to be best friends. But now, and for the past 7 years, we've been so much more than friends. You have been my life, my will to live. Not a minute goes by when I'm not with you that I don't miss you. I never want to imagine where we would be if we hadn't confessed that night in your room. Since that moment I have been the happiest I've been in my life. You are so unbelievably smart, you're caring, loving, you're accepting, kind, funny, creative, talented and so many other things I don't have the words to describe. When I'm with you I feel complete,"
Kenma had broken into silent tears. Kuroo reached up and held his face in one hand and continued to talk. "Kozume you have always been there for me and I truly don't think I will ever be able to pay you back. You were there when I cried and you were there when I laughed. You were the reason I laughed. You are the reason I smile. You are always in my head and I want you to stay there with me. I want to be with you forever...," Kenma's eyes widened in shock as Kuroo's knee touched the ground. Kuroo reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box.
"I guess what I'm trying to say is, Kenma Kozume, here in the field where I found you, will you marry me?" Kuroo opened the box and exposed a silver band with the words "I love you too...baka" Engraved into it. Kenma burst into tears at the memory. Kuroo looked up into Kenma's beautiful eyes and watched as Kenma's tears continued flooding. Kenma knelt down in front of Kuroo so that they were almost at eye level with each other. And whispered a single word.
"Yes," Kenma whispered, afraid that if he said it too loud he would wake up from a dream. Kuroo dropped the box and tackled Kenma to the ground in a hug. He was so much more than ecstatic. They both were. Kuroo lifted his head and watched Kenma's face. Kenma had temporarily replaced his tears with laughter. He calmed down and gazed back up at Kuroo. Kuroo slowly lowered his head down towards Kenma's and Kenma lifted himself up slightly to meet him halfway. And so, they shared their first kiss as fiances.

"I love you, Kozume,"

"I love you more, Tetsuro,"

.

~END~